Four Redlegs & Coach Named in Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year

Top two clubs Norwood and Sturt have dominated selection in the 2024 The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year, with a combined 10 players recognised for their outstanding form throughout the minor round.

Norwood’s Baynen Lowe, Jack Heard, Harry Boyd and Tom Donnelly have all be named in the starting 18, while Redlegs Senior Coach Jade Rawlings has been named the Team of the Year Coach.

Boyd has been the clear standout ruckman in the competition and has been selected in the starting Ruck spot, while Lowe has been named on the Half Forward Flank, J. Heard at Centre Half Back and Donnelly Full Back.

Boyd comfortably led the League in hitouts and clearances in 2024, while Lowe has transformed himself from a small forward into a goal kicking midfielder.

Norwood Vice Captain J. Heard earnt his second Team of the Year selection, as one of the League’s premier defenders, while Donnelly hardly had his colours lowered while playing on the opposition’s best forward – tall or small.

The Double Blues, who matched Norwood with 15 victories for the season, have six players selected including inspirational captain James Battersby, who is a fitting skipper of The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year in his seventh appearance.

Sturt’s miserly back six is well recognised with Casey Voss returning to half-back while Will Coomblas and Luke Edmonds thoroughly deserve their debut selections in the back pockets.

Star Blues midfielders Will Snelling (rover) and Tom Lewis (interchange) have also been named despite missing seven games between them in 2024, such was the strength of their impact while present.

Ken Farmer Medallist Mitch Harvey earned his debut selection at full forward after booting 45 goals throughout the minor round, joined in the elite line-up by fellow Rooster Campbell Combe (ruck rover).

Reigning premier Glenelg has two players selected in forward pocket Liam McBean, who is the vice-captain of the side, while the game-breaking Matt Allen finds himself providing flexibility on the wing.

Fellow finalist Central District boasts three players in this year’s team, with Aiden Grace making his debut in the forward pocket, dual Fos Williams Medallist Jez McLennan at half-back and Magarey Medallist Harry Grant on the interchange.

The fifth-placed Eagles have a strong presence across half-forward with the nifty James Rowe earning his fourth selection alongside debutant Connor Ballenden at centre half forward.

Adelaide ruckman Kieran Strachan will provide back up to Boyd in the ruck from the interchange, starting alongside prolific Bloods midfielder Sam Frost, who fittingly earned his first selection with West teammate Kobe Ryan, who was listed on the wing.

South Adelaide and Port Adelaide were the only clubs without a player selected.

The Advertiser SANFL Team of the Year was selected by SANFL’s Sean Toohey, Daniel Joyce and Zac Milbank, The Advertiser’s Andrew Capel, Football Budget editor Peter Cornwall, and Channel 7’s John Casey.